CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank have been among the many night’s largest winners on the fifty fifth annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired Friday (Oct. 4) on TBN.

The ceremony, which passed off in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Allen Arena at Nashville’s Lipscomb University, the night celebrated the artists and songwriters behind the 12 months’s high music, encompassing sounds together with pop, Gospel, rap/hip-hop, southern gospel and extra.

“Unity does not mean uniformity. The Dove Award stage is a picture of God’s creativity,” stated GMA president Jackie Patillo informed the viewers because the present started. “They are all uplifting and praising the name of Jesus.”

Host for the night, singer-songwriter Tauren Wells echoed these sentiments, saying, “I’m encouraged by the diversity and beauty I see in this room. The diversity that the dove awards represent is beautiful,” and including, “Though there are many genres, we are singing one song.”

Winans earned the night’s high honor, artist of the 12 months, together with two different accolades.

“You gotta be kidding me,” Winans stated after taking the stage to just accept the artist of the 12 months win. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it has nothing to do with me. God is amazing…I’m known for my music, but God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us according to the way we know Him. And so all of us here tonight – the artists I was in the category with, I came here to cheer them on tonight.”

In accepting the pop/modern album of the 12 months honor for Coat of Many Colors, Lake stated, “I’ve been crying all night and I told somebody this is the award I wanted to win the most. I just want my friends to win. These amazing producers, these guys it has been the honor of my life just to roll with you guys. I get the privilege of touring and presenting these songs. Your fingerprints are on thousands of lives that have been changed…I’m so grateful. I’m literally sitting here all night and just weeping…the word humility, I’m surrounded by greatness. What an honor to be surrounded by greatness. Thank you for supporting these songs, this record, we’ve got a lot more coming.” Lake was additionally named songwriter of the 12 months (artist).

The night featured 11 performances, with CeCe Winans opening the present with a full-throttle, praise-inspiring “That’s My King.” CAIN adopted with their high 5 Billboard Christian Airplay hit “Any More,” whereas break-dancers flanked Anike as she carried out the fierce “In the Light,” with visitor Porsha Love. Joseph Habedank carried out the swampy, soulful, stomping “Tell the Devil.”

Tye Tribbett and his backing vocalists soared via “Only One Night Tho,” to thunderous applause. Maverick City Music with Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore carried out the piano ballad “God Problems” (the track was named modern gospel recorded track of the 12 months).

“I think the only joy in having a song like this win something like this is we get the opportunity to remind people over and over and over again there is nothing impossible for God,” Raine stated. “He is able. He sees us.”

The crowd rose to its ft when the Jackie Patillo award for distinguished management was awarded to Gospel music pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither, recognized for songs together with “Because He Lives” and “There’s Just Something About That Name.”

“We are overwhelmed with that,” Gloria stated, thanking everybody who has sung their songs in church buildings, congregations and choirs around the globe, and artists who’ve recorded the songs.

“Somewhere along the way we’ve lost our song. Let us stand on the Rock of Ages and shine like a city on a hill, because there’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill,” Bill Gaither stated.

Michael W. Smith offered the track of the 12 months honor, which went to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.” Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson accepted the distinction, additionally thanking their co-writers on the track, Tomlin, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham.

Multiple occasions through the night, moms have been celebrated. In accepting the Rap/Hip-Hop album of the 12 months honor for his album His Glory Alone II, KB honored his mom, who was within the viewers.

“I got the honor this year to come to the Doves with my lovely mother,” KB stated. “The doctors told her when I was a baby I would not be able to talk, and if I could, I would not talk well. My mother told them they were wrong. She’s exemplified this resilient stubborn faith that believes God can do more than what the reports say.” Turning to his mom, he stated, “I dedicate this award to you. You have represented a fighter for me my entire life. You fought for me when I was far from Jesus, when I did not believe in God. And here I am right now as the fruit of your labor.”

He went on to say, “Christian Hip Hop is an often overlooked entity. Something is happening in the mainstream right now. They are paying attention to what is going on. It’s something that isn’t just music, this is a movement. People are coming to Christ. Marriages are being saved. Folks are finding themselves in these Gospel representations. As the world is watching, give them Jesus.”

The characteristic movie of the 12 months went to the For King & Country movie Unsung Hero, based mostly on the story of the sibling duo’s household and their journey from Australia to America. The duo’s Joel and Luke Smallbone invited their mother and father, who impressed the movie, to talk.

“I believe every mom is an unsung hero,” their mom stated, whereas their father added, “This is emotional. When I lost everything 35 years ago, I said, ‘The only way we can get ahead is to go to America.’ She said, ‘We’ll go for two years.’ And 35 years later, we’re sill here. We love America. This is a land of opportunity.”

“Shout to the Lord” author Darlene Zschech launched the collaboration of Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Gabriel Guedes for a multi-lingual model of “Holy Forever.”

Meanwhile, in accepting the Spanish language recorded track of the 12 months, Christine D’Clario stated, “This one is special…and has become the song of my recovery.”

Wells took a break from internet hosting duties to crew with DAVIES and Skillet’s John Cooper for “Take It All Back (What The Enemy Stole),” issuing a commanding efficiency with pummeling drums and careening guitars, immediately taking some within the viewers from elevating arms to headbanging.

Natalie Grant gave a strong, stirring rendition of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory),” honoring the lives of many artists, executives and different creators who’ve handed away over the previous 12 months.

Elsewhere through the night, Christian-country singer Anne Wilson carried out her highly effective ballad “Strong” (her album Rebel received bluegrass/nation/roots album of the 12 months).

The new artist of the 12 months honor went to Forrest Frank, who earlier within the night carried out his songs “No Longer Bound” and “Good Day.” Frank additionally picked up the win for pop/modern recorded track of the 12 months, for ‘Good Day.”

“I feel so undeserving of this award. I was curious if I was even going to come to an awards show for Christian music because everything I do is for the Lord,” Frank stated. “For some reason, He’s given me songs that relate to people. I’m so thankful to be here and I want to continue to give Jesus glory because my name will fade away like everyone else’s….but one name will remain and that’s Jesus Christ.”

The night closed out with a efficiency from Crowder, as he carried out his high 10 Christian Airplay hit “Grave Robber,” which was named rock/modern recorded track of the 12 months.

The 56th annual GMA Dove Awards will probably be held Oct. 7, 2025, when the Dove Awards ceremony relocates from its longtime dwelling at Allen Arena, transferring to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

See an inventory of winners beneath:

Artist of the 12 months: CeCe Winans

Pop/modern album of the 12 months: Coat of Many Colors, Brandon Lake

New artist of the 12 months: Forrest Frank

Bluegrass/nation/roots album of the 12 months: Rebel, Anne Wilson

Southern gospel album of the 12 months: Live in Amsterdam, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

Spanish language recorded track of the 12 months: “Tanta Historias,” Christine D’Clario

Rap/hip-hop album of the 12 months: His Glory Alone II, KB

Rap/hip hop recorded track of the 12 months: “Love Like That,” Hulvey feat. Tony D. Shaun, Alex Jean

Short-form music video (idea): “Faithfully,” TobyMac

Short-form video of the 12 months (efficiency): “Joy (The Choir Room Version),” The Choir Room, Ben Rector

Songwriter of the 12 months (non-artist): Jason Ingram

Songwriter of the 12 months (artist): Brandon Lake

Producer of the 12 months: Jonathan Smith

Worship recorded track of the 12 months: “Praise,” Elevation Worship

Song of the 12 months: “Holy Forever,” Chris Tomlin

Feature Film of the Year: Unsung Hero

Contemporary gospel recorded track of the 12 months: “God Problems,” Maverick City Music

Contemporary gospel album of the 12 months: Father’s Day, Kirk Franklin

Bluegrass/nation/roots recorded track of the 12 months: “Lookin’ For You,” Zach Williams Feat. Dolly Parton

Gospel worship album of the 12 months: More Than This, CeCe Winans

Inspirational recorded track of the 12 months: “My Tribute (to God Be the Glory),” Natalie Grant feat. CeCe Winans

Traditional gospel recorded track of the 12 months: “I Believe God” – Jekalyn Carr

Traditional gospel album of the 12 months: No Failure, Melvin Crispell III

Southern gospel recorded track of the 12 months: “Here Comes Jesus,” Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)

Worship album of the 12 months: I Believe, Phil Wickham

Christmas/particular occasion album of the 12 months: Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years, Casting Crowns

Christmas recorded track of the 12 months: “Manger Throne,” Phil Wickham

Spanish language album of the 12 months: Evangelio (En Vivo), Miel San Marcos

Inspirational album of the 12 months: autobiography, Joseph Habedank

Children’s recorded track of the Year: “Holy Forever,” Yancy

Recorded music packaging of the 12 months: Jesus Music, CAIN

Spanish language worship recorded track of the 12 months: “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica),” Kairo Worship

Spanish language recorded track of the 12 months: “Tantas Historias,” Christine D’Clario

Television collection of the 12 months: Chasing CAIN

Rock/modern album of the 12 months: Manna, Chris Renzema

Rock/modern recorded track of the 12 months: “Grave Robber,” Crowder

Gospel worship recorded track of the 12 months: “The Story I’ll Tell (Live)” – Naomi Raine

Pop/modern recorded track of the 12 months: “Good Day,” Forrest Frank

Musical/choral assortment of the 12 months: “My King Is Known By Love”

Long kind video of the 12 months: “Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventure,” Steven Curtis Chapman